Limited Access Drilling

Rope access is a method that offers access to construction workers for much of the work carried-out in the offshore oil and gas industry but has recently found success in a range of projects in building construction, civil engineering and mining industry. The method involves using a safe rope access system and other specialised equipment to gain access to and from the work position and be safely supported in the work position.

The alternative to limited access construction is a set-up involving scaffolding and high-access cranes, cherry pickers, scissor lifts, telehandlers and construction hoists. If you have a site where you require drilling in tight spots and the conventional drilling systems are unable to offer better access, consider the need for limited access drilling systems offered by Hoff Geotechnik. Limited access construction by rope access is used for civil engineering and the mining industry (e.g. to drill blastholes and horizontal holes in tight spots). 

Limited access drilling is an efficient and cost-effective method for drilling horizontal drain-holes to drain-out perched water table. Limited access drilling is also efficient for civil engineering drilling such as gasline or water pipeline construction and installations along mountainous regions, natural cliffs and steeply excavated slopes such as those in the mining industry (box-cuts and vertical shafts).

Hoff Geotechnik offer limited access drilling by rope access to the mining and civil engineering industry. Hoff Geotechnik's service offering includes full turn-key package encompassing all technical designs, construction method statements, safety risk assessments and project execution. We have many years of experience working with top-tier mining companies such as Kumba Iron Ore, Harmony Gold, De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, Thungela Resources, Anglo American Platinum, Debswana Mining, Letseng Diamond Mine, Transnet Freight Rail, Dept of Public Service and Infrastructure (South Africa), Black Mountain Mining Company, Skorpion Zinc Minining Company, Lesotho Highlands Water Project and many more. 

Hoff Geotechnik has executed many projects using limited access drilling methods. We have experience of working on suspended platforms at any height, whether it is below ground, over mountainous terrain and industrial structures. Typical applications for limited access drilling include:

• Pre-split drilling in mining and civil engineering

• Blasthole drilling in mining and civil engineering

• Horizontal drain hole drilling (weep-holes) in mining and civil engineering

• Limited access drilling and blasting on steep slopes

• Slope stabilization and landslide remediation over steep slopes

• Rockfall protection projects along mountaneous terrains and cliffs

The advantages of limited access drilling can positively influence major projects in the following manner:

• Improved productivity due to quick access

• Improved safety due to working according to the international code of practice 

• Efficient system using only certified equipment 

• Reduced cost of access 

• Careful planning and documented risk assessments

• Experienced and certified high access technicians